Effects of Age

Question 1

How does cross linking occur?

Answer 1

Collagen stiffens with age and crosslinks are tangles of protein.

Question 2

What happens to the immune system as we age?

Answer 2

There’s a decline in immune function with age. Antibodies develop that destroy the cell structure and function. Also autoimmune disorders can arise.

Question 3

What is lipofuscin?

Answer 3

It’s the pigment left overs after blood cells are broken down and digested. (Found in heart and smooth muscle)

Question 4

What happens to the conduction system as we age?

Answer 4

Pacemaker cells are lost due to apoptosis. Also the electrical coupling deteriorates with age.

Question 5

What happens to the function of the heart as we age?

Answer 5

There’s reduced Ca-ATPase activity. There’s also reduced relaxation so there’s a decrease in filling. (A greater atrial contraction is required for ventricularof filling)

There’s also decreased compliance which leads to increased resistance to blood being ejected from the LV. — higher end systolic volume

Question 6

What happens to baroreflex with respects to aging?

Answer 6

There’s arterial stiffening within the barosensory segments which leads to dysfunction and reduced ability to maintain BP homeostasis.

Question 7

How does SBP and DBP change as we age?

Answer 7

SBP increases throughout adult life.

DBP increases until 50 or so then decreases.

(DBP more common in younger people)